Stevie‘s review of Lord of the Hunt (The Court of Annwyn, Book 2) by Shona Husk
Fantasy Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 07 Jan 13
When I reviewed the first book in this series, I said I wanted to see more about the family of the heroine. I also said that I loved the intrigues and politics of the Fairy Court and wanted to know more. Well, so far, I’ve got my second wish if not my first, although since the hero of the first book is the son of the Fairy Prince, we do get to see an awful lot of the previous hero’s family in this one. We also get brief glimpses of his happy ever after, but nothing, in my opinion, that will throw readers new to the series out of this story, especially given that this book’s heroine’s family is very closely connected to his life in the human world.
Taryn is a fairy, although raised in the human world by her exiled parents, and she has returned to the fairy land of Annwyn for the first time since her birth in order to ask that her father is forgiven his crime and both her parents are allowed to return home – to Annwyn if not the Court – before the Fairy King dies and any fairies still in the human world are killed in the transition to a new regime. Taryn knows next to nothing about Annwyn or life at the Court, so we get to see the world through her eyes. And a fascinating world it is too.
Meanwhile Verden, the Lord of the Hunt, has risen from lowly beginnings to hold one of the most important positions in the Court, although he knows he’ll be deposed when the old King’s reign ends. He knows little of life in the human world, although he regularly travels between the worlds to deal with those of the Greys – banished fairies – who don’t play by the rules of their banishment, as well as to enjoy a little respite from Court life by spending time in the few areas of our world that are relatively untouched by humans. Verden and Taryn feel an instant connection, even though they both know that she needs to suck up to the King to gain her father’s pardon and they know that their involvement could lead to disaster should it be found out.
As I mentioned, I loved the Court politics and intrigue that were only hinted at in the previous book, and it is great to see so much more of the detailed and well-thought-out world building that has been lavished on this series. I’m gripped with wanting to know what would happen to Taryn and Verden once their relationship is revealed to the Court, and how the King is going to keep everything together long enough for his chosen heir to take over. Not everything is resolved in this story, but enough of the plot threads are wrapped up that I’m happy to wait for the next book to find out more. Oh, and I love that the structures of the Court are living (or, currently, dying) trees, and that there is fairy life beyond the Court too. Okay, I’m happy to wait for the next book to learn more, but I hope I don’t have to wait too long.
Grade: B
Read Veena’s review here.
Summary:
She Wasn’t Cut Out for His World…
The realm of the fairies might be unbelievably beautiful, but its people are notoriously treacherous. Raised among mortals, Taryn hoped to avoid her fairy heritage her whole life. But now she must cross over to Annwyn and appeal to the King to pardon her exiled parents, or they’re sure to die. And to get to the King, she’ll first have to face the Lord of the Hunt…
He Can’t Imagine Life Without Her…
Verden, Lord of the Hunt, is sworn to serve to King. But the moment he sees Taryn, the attraction is instant and devastating. How can he not help the beautiful, brave young woman who refuses to bend to the will of the court? Yet the power in Annwyn is shifting, its magic failing. No matter how much he may love Taryn, the Hunter knows that abandoning his duty could bring down the mortal world forever…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
